MYTHS:
Myth: Overcoming addiction is a simple matter of willpower.
Fact: Acute abuse results in powerful cravings and withdrawals. There are also deeply embedded emotional disorders that cause the addiction in the first place. Finally, the addict has to be prepared to handle real life situations after treatment. These combined factors are too difficult to overcome by willpower alone.
Myth: Addiction is a disease that cannot be cured.
Fact: The causes of addiction can now be treated and reversed more effectively through modern therapy techniques and medication than in the past.
Myth: Addicts must hit rock bottom before treatment will work.
Fact: Treatment works at any stage. Indeed, the longer the abuse goes on, the harder it is to treat. To wait until the addict has lost everything is definitely not a better option than early treatment.
Myth: Forced treatment is useless – they must ask for it.
Fact: Addicts who are pressured into treatment by families, employers or legal means get the same benefit as those who volunteer. When their minds start clearing up, most reluctant addicts become eager to change and to make amends.
Myth: Previous treatment did not work – there’s no point trying again.
Fact: Recovery is a long process and setbacks are part of the journey. A relapse just means you need a fresh start and an adjustment in the type of therapy. The rehab centre you choose, should offer modern techniques, instead of traditional, outdated methods.
Myth: Addicts have no hope of ever being cured.
Fact: Thousands of rehabilitated addicts are living clean, happy lives. Sometimes it takes more than one treatment, but the success rate also increases, as the addict starts with more insight than the previous time and will absorb more additional coping mechanisms.
